Have you ever attended a presentation — one in which
you knew the presenter — and have been astounded by how a seemingly articulate person disappears
under pressure? All of a sudden, the colleague who speaks clearly and is respected by his team
members stammers and stutters. He interjects "um" and "uh" in every other sentence. Why does
this happen?
In general, when speakers say these filler words
or do other filler actions (such as licking their lips), they do so unconsciously. They make
these sounds or do these actions at a transition point — when they are getting ready to move on
to another topic or offer an example. The simple act of switching from one topic to another
demands a transition, and when one is not determined, the unconscious fills in. So, for some,
it is a less-than-articulate "uh", and for others it is scratching the head. In either case,
the behavior can be stopped.
The best way to eliminate filler words and actions
is to substitute one behavior for another. So at points of transition, or whenever you feel the
need to inject filler, simply PAUSE. Take a deep breath and gather your thoughts. The pause that
seems so long to you, pulse-racing, head-pounding, is actually a welcome respite for your audience.
They, too need a filler in order to concentrate.
Basics
Delivery
